FC President Brandie Ribeiro Wins First Place in FHA Competition: Full Year Scholarship to Attend FIDM

Congratulations to Brandie Rose Ribeiro, the First Place Winner at the State Finals of the FHA-HERO Competition. The prize? A full-year scholarship to attend FIDM! Brandie is the President of her FIDM Fashion Club at Ruben S. Ayala High School, and was accepted early into FIDM last year when she was still a junior. She will be studying Fashion Design on the Los Angeles campus beginning this summer.

Fashion Club Advisor: Barbara Allen

Do you have any updates you'd like to report since your last interview with FC? I competed in the Regional FHA competition for Fashion Design and received first place. I was selected to be in the Prom Fashion Show at my high school and I wore one of the dresses that I have designed. Also, I am currently working on two designs that I am excited to add to my portfolio.

Tell us about the scholarship you received: I am an FHA/FCCLA member. FHA holds regional and state competitions each year. There are several categories that one may choose to compete in. I competed in Fashion Design. My task was to execute three designs for "Romeo and Juliet," including a cost breakdown for each design, an information sheet of the elements and principles of design, a presentation board, and a speech. I competed at the regional level and received first place, allowing me to compete at the state level. I received first place at the state competition as well. The first place prize was a full year tuition for Fashion Design at FIDM, $100 cash, and a trophy.

What was your reaction when you found out that you were going to receive it? As soon as my name had been announced for first place, I instantly had tears of joy rolling down my face. I was in shock; I am still on cloud nine. FIDM had always been my dream school and to receive a full year tuition, was a dream come true. Hard work really does pay off!

What have you learned as the President of your Fashion Club? As the President of my Fashion Club, I have learned to be creative and more enthusiastic. I have to make sure that the crafts we do are cute as well as cost effective. Also, my personality has a huge effect on my Fashionistas; the more enthusiastic I am, the more excited they are about what we are doing for that meeting.

How has being the president of your Fashion Club prepared you for your future in the fashion industry? Being the president of Fashion Club has prepared me by making me capable of thinking fast on my feet and thinking of others. Each of my Fashionistas have unique personalities and as President, I have to make sure that the activity that we are doing for that day holds all of their interests. For my future as a bridal gown designer, my duty is to make all of my brides feel absolutely beautiful.

Any advice for future FC Presidents? As a retiring President of Fashion Club, my advice for future officers is to put your all into your club because the members look up to us presidents. It is our job to inspire the members to reach their goals and to not let fashion just be a “dream.”

What are your career goals? After my first two years of Fashion Design at FIDM, I will major in Business Management. Both of these majors will prepare me as a bridal gown designer to open up my own bridal salon.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I expect to grow as a designer and future business owner. I am excited to learn more about fashion and how to run a successful business; and fall more deeply in love with my passion for bridal gowns. FIDM is an exquisite school providing all their students with the tools and knowledge to reach each of theirs goals.

Anything else you'd like to share? I am so blessed for all the support that I have received from my family, friends, and the staff at FIDM. Thank you, FIDM, for all of your opportunities.

FC President Produces First Fashion Show for Tesoro High

Check it out! Tesoro High School Fashion Club President, Marina Klein just produced the first ever fashion show for the school. The biggest sponsor of the show was Macy's, and the event was covered by the OC Register.

Marina has just been accepted to attend FIDM. She starts this summer!

Just Accepted Student Miashani Macon

Seventeen-year-old Miashani Macon is a high school senior from Fontana, California who will be majoring in Merchandise Product Development at FIDM this summer. Miashani was inspired to pursue her love of fashion by her great aunt Linda Gail, who has a children’s clothing label.

"I like taking vintage clothes and making them up-to-date. A lot of my inspiration comes from my great aunt Linda Gail who graduated from FIDM in 1979."

Read the entire interview with Miashani on FashionClub.com.

Just Accepted Student Amanda Kaintz

Seventeen-year-old high school senior Amanda Kaintz was recently accepted early to FIDM to study Merchandise Marketing. The Lake Stevens, Washington resident will start her fashion career at FIDM’s Orange County campus in the fall of 2013.

"FIDM focuses on my interests and what I love, and will be a place that I look forward to attending. Fashion has always been a huge part of my life, and FIDM will equip me with the education I need to pursue my dreams."

Read the entire interview with Amanda on FashionClub.com.

Just Accepted Student Amy Noel Ivan

Seventeen-year-old high school senior Amy Noel Ivan was accepted early to FIDM to study Merchandise Product Development. The Pleasant Grove, Utah native will start her fashion career at FIDM’s Los Angeles campus in October of 2013.

"I want to become a product developer for a big company and then start up my own business. I would love to have multiple types of stores. I have always dreamed of having a surf shop right on the beach. That is the ultimate goal!"

Read the entire interview with Amy on FashionClub.com.

Just Accepted Student Brandie Rose Ribeiro

Brandie Rose Ribeiro, who hails from Chino Hills, California, was accepted early to FIDM to study Fashion Design. The 17-year-old senior at Ruben S. Ayala High School was accepted to FIDM while she was still a junior.

"I am president of FIDM Fashion Club at my school, a member of National Honors Society, and a leader of youth ministry at my church. Also, I design bridal gowns, which are featured in an Avant-Garde Fashion show each year."

Read the entire interview with Brandie on FashionClub.com.

Just Accepted Student Bella Anselmi is Already a Fashion Industry Pro

Twenty-one-year-old New Zealand native Bella Anselmi is already a fashion industry pro and she hasn’t yet begun her studies at FIDM! She’s been working in her family’s footwear retail business for the last six years, and this fall she will bring her industry experience to the Fashion Design program as a student on the Los Angeles campus.

"I have worked in my family's footwear retail business part-time and full-time since I was 15 years old, starting off with a part time job as a sales assistant in several stores while still in high school, and now full time working at the head office. I have worked in many departments of the business ranging from marketing, buying, graphics, and even moving stock in the warehouse!"

Read her entire interview on FashionClub.com.

Just Accepted Apparel Industry Management Student is Passionate About Hip Hop, Sneakers, and Streetwear

Full Name: Bryan Joseph Morales
 
Age: 17 years old
 
Hometown: Cerritos, California
 
Year in School: Senior at San Juan Hills HS

FIDM Major: Apparel Industry Management

Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Fall 2012

Admissions Advisor: Joleen Harris

Tell us a bit about yourself. I've always taken pride in the way that I dress as it expresses who I am. I've been dressing myself ever since I transferred from a private to a public school in third grade. My elementary school classmates would tell you I wore nothing but NBA jerseys and Dragon Ball Z t-shirts. I began to stray away from the cartoon t-shirts around the age of 12, and by the seventh grade, streetwear was all I knew.

I'm an avid fan of Diamond Supply Co. and have been supporting their line for years. I aspire to own a line as successful as the owner, Nick Tershay, one day. As far as my style, hip-hop has easily had the most significant impact on what I wear. I have always appreciated the styles of Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and many other music artists. My love for hip-hop has not only altered my perspective on many things growing up, it has played a large role in shaping my wardrobe throughout the years.
 
Basketball is something I have always loved as well. I have not stopped playing organized basketball since the age of seven, and I am currently playing AAU. With my love for basketball as well as clothing, it only makes sense that I'm the type that will drool over a pair of sneakers. I have a huge appreciation for Air Jordans because of how much I love the game of basketball and the history behind each sneaker.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? Making the decision to study at fashion schools in order to pursue my dream career is something I am very proud of. Along with making the decision, I'm proud of the person I am growing up to be. I have matured a lot since my passion for clothing first began. Being mentioned on tournament websites and on scouting reports for basketball throughout my AAU career is something I am very proud of as well.

What made FIDM right for you? The Apparel Industry Management Program is the perfect major for giving me the tools that I need to reach my career goals. 

Describe your entrance project. I had trouble finding inspiration until about a week before my appointment when a song lyric hit me. I immediately started sketching and it led me to create a 10-page black and red booklet. My essay was on the first two pages followed by outfits of my clothing line, which I had sketched. My clothing targeted the young hip-hop and skateboarding cultures.

On the back of every page in the booklet, I taped the album artwork of artists such as Kanye West, Curren$y, Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, A Tribe Called Quest, Jay-Z, and many more. The reason for the album art was because many of the artists' lyrics and styles inspired my sketches.

What are your career goals? I want to create a line that caters to the hip-hop and skateboarding community. I hope to fulfill my dream of owning a store in Los Angeles. I long for the day when music artists, skaters, actors, actresses, and athletes come in to my store to shop. Expanding my clothing internationally is a goal of mine as well. To open up stores in countries across the world is something I have dreamed of for quite a while. But for the most part, I want my clothing line to be successful enough to give back to my entire family.
 
What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I expect to learn the skills needed to efficiently manage a clothing company. I want to learn everything there is to know about successfully managing and producing my line. I can't explain how much I am looking forward to the education FIDM will provide me with.

Just Accepted Visual Communications Student is Inspired by Rachel Zoe and Wants to be a Stylist

Full Name: Caitlan Szabo

Age: 19

Hometown: Long Beach, CA

Year in School or Previous College History: Some Community College

FIDM Major: Visual Communications

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Fall 2012

Admissions Advisor: Susan Pope

Tell us a bit about yourself. Among other things, I love fashion and I love to shop. I am blessed to have landed a job at Nordstrom where I get to surround myself with things I enjoy, as well as helping others feel beautiful. It’s very rewarding.

My Nordstrom carreer  has lead me to the realization that I want to spend the majority of my life doing something that I enjoy. I'm in love with the fashion industry and making a difference in people’s lives. My inspiration at this time in my life is Rachel Zoe. She is an amazingly talented, strong woman and I aspire to be like her.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I am proud of the woman I have grown up to be. I have a good head on my shoulders and have surrounded myself with people who have integrity and authenticity. I’m proud of the way I carried myself through this journey which has lead me to FIDM and pursuing a career in fashion design.

What made FIDM right for you? The atmosphere at FIDM caught my eye. After touring and meeting people at FIDM, I got an immediate "at-home" feeling. I fit right in with the other students and that’s an amazing feeling. FIDM has so many more things to offer me than your standard fashion schools; it feels like "the sky’s the limit" here.  I’m inspired, hopeful, and excited!

Describe your entrance project. My favorite outfit was the inspiration for my three entrance projects. I used it as my overall theme. I created a little boutique that was reflective of my personal style by using circles, triangles, and squares; I made a Jeffrey Campbell "Lita." I wanted to use acutal objects as those shapes so I used flowers for the circles, cutouts of lace triangles, and mosaic tiles for squares.

For my window display I kept it simple. I had a wooden design in the background and three models wearing bohemian-inspired clothing to portray what would be inside. The interior display of my store was a boutique so it was very clean and didn’t incorporate too many pieces that would overwhelm the client. Throughout my three projects I used coordinating colors and designs. I used real leather and denim to give texture.

What are your career goals? I plan to become a personal stylist! Styling is my passion and I love creating looks for people and being the one to make them feel amazing in whatever they wear. If given the opportunity, event planning is also an interest of mine.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM?  I want to really learn the way of the business and the lifestyle of being in this industry. I am excited to be hands-on and be working on my major right off the bat -- I can’t wait to explore all the aspects of the Visual Communications major.

Just Accepted Fashion Design Student Wants to be a Designer With a Purpose

Name: Grace An

Age: 18

Hometown: Murrieta, California.

Year in School: I'm a senior at Vista Murrieta, fast approaching graduation. Go Class of 2012!

FIDM Major: I'm starting with Fashion Design and then I want to take Merchandise Product Development my next two years.

FIDM Campus and Start Date: I'm going to the L.A. campus in July.

Admissions Advisor: The fabulous Christian Moralde.

Tell us a bit about yourself. I'm seriously obsessed with the pop culture of the 1980s. Everything from the style to the multimedia was perfect then. I definitely get much of my inspiration from that time era (as well as the 1950s). I'm also crazy about cats. I walk around our city's Old Town for fun. I love dancing even though I'm not a dancer and my favorite food is the soft potato taco at Taco Bell.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I got to be a part of the O'Neill Gen Next design competition, which was really cool. Although I partook in such a huge event, I'd say my proudest accomplishment was completing a small clothing line each year for our school's fashion show. That definitely took a lot of my effort and it was through that experience that I realized where my best interests for the future were.

What made FIDM right for you? What drew me in was the awesome majors and curriculum that FIDM's various fashion schools provided. I also didn't mind all the cool resources that I'd get to use once I go.

Describe your entrance project. I actually signed up for Merchandise Product Development first and my entrance project was to choose five basic clothes and make changes to them. After that I would mark a price for these clothes and create a store where I would sell them. I chose sweaters as my clothing category and grunged them up. I came up with a name, theme, demographic, etc. for my store.

What are your career goals? I don't want to be just a fashion designer. I think fashion should have a good purpose behind it. Otherwise it's meaningless to me. I hope to take my talents and creativity to become successful and help people who are in need of anything. It sounds pretty ambitious. However, I want to make a difference no matter how small or big that difference is.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I hope to hone in on my creativity and learn to use it effectively. I want to learn all the skills it takes to be successful in the fashion industry. I'm pretty stoked to be a student.